The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OHL) imposed harsh penalties on the Niagara IceDogs on Thursday after an independent investigation revealed toxic behavior within the team.
According to the findings of the investigation, which is based on interviews with about 15 former players, coaches and staff, the IceDogs broke several league rules relating to abuse and intimidation.
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Goaltender Joshua Rosenzweig and defenseman Landon Cato, who had played a leading role in Niagara’s toxic culture, were banned from the OHL for life.
For his part, general manager and owner Darren DeDobbelaer was suspended for two seasons. He cannot return to his post until June 1, 2025.
The IceDogs were also fined $100,000 and lost their first-round pick at the 2024 auction.
Rosenzweig and Cato are two 20-year-old athletes who were not drafted into the National Hockey League. The former has amassed a .868 save rate this season, while the latter has been limited to three points in 21 games.
According to OHL’s statement, both “seriously” violated the tour’s player abuse policy and code of conduct.
For his part, GD DeDobbelaer was fined for not respecting the confidentiality of the investigation.
With a record of 12-47-9, the IceDogs finished bottom of the Ontario League that season.
This isn’t the first time this organization has found itself in hot water. In April 2022, brothers Joey and Billy Burke, GM and head coach of the IceDogs respectively, were suspended over what they deemed unacceptable messages they had sent in a conversation on the WhatsApp application.
The Burke brothers then sold their shares in the team to DeDobbelaer. A certain Wayne Gretzky has since become a minority owner.